Mike LakeConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian aerospace industry is not unlike other industries and will feel the effects of the global economic crisis. In 2007 we announced $900 million for the industry through SADI and $153 million invested to date.

Through the IRB policy and the Canada first procurement strategy, contracts are going to Canadian firms. Today the Prime Minister will be making an announcement in Montreal that I encourage all members to watch.

Mike LakeConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that I have already answered the aerospace question, but I will talk a little bit about the budget.

We are coming up on some really important votes to do with the budget, a budget that will help provide support for Canadians who are out of work due to the global economic slowdown. It will help Canadians get re-trained and get back into new jobs, those Canadians who can do so, as soon as possible.

Because of the steps that we have taken, Canada is in a position that is the envy of the rest of the world as we head into this slowdown. I would encourage all members in the House to pass this budget as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government is refusing to disclose how much it will contribute to security for the Olympic Winter Games that open in Vancouver a year from now. The B.C. government is tabling its budget next week, but it cannot tell British Columbians how much it has to pay unless it knows what the federal government is going to pay.

My question is very simple. What is the federal government going to contribute to the games' security and when will it tell British Columbians what it is going to pay?

Dave MacKenzieConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, both the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia are continuing to work on the cost sharing agreement. Because negotiations regarding that arrangement are still ongoing, we cannot provide further comment at this time. The Government of Canada is committed to transparency and will disclose the full amount of the security budget once all the agreements have been finalized.

Mr. Speaker, here is something the government can do very quickly. It can honour the wage agreement with the RCMP that it tore up just before Christmas. The government promised a wage increase for the RCMP, tore up the wage agreement and, by doing that, it is comprising the ability of the RCMP to recruit and re-train officers for the games.

My question is simple. Would the government do the honourable thing, do the right thing, and honour the wage agreement it made with the RCMP just before Christmas, so it can provide the officers our games need?

Andrew SaxtonConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board

Mr. Speaker, the government respects the good work that the RCMP is doing to keep our communities safe. This is why we are increasing the force by 1,000 officers. It is critical, given our current economic circumstances, that we all tighten our belts. Everyone is being asked to do their fair share to help manage government expenditures. The RCMP is no different and we appreciate its support.

Mr. Speaker, forestry communities across northern Ontario are at risk. This week there was another announced sawmill closure, throwing 200 more people out of work, resulting in a ripple effect across the riding. This is placing a strain on available credit and threatening jobs. In Manitouwadge one of the creditors has already cut 38 jobs and 100 more are at stake in the next two weeks.

Would the government provide immediate access to reasonable credit to the forestry sector, so that northern Ontario communities can stop losing jobs?

David AndersonConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, our economic action plan addresses exactly those issues. It is the NDP that is holding it up in the House. It is time it started co-operating with the government and pass this legislation, so that we can get moving ahead and protect those communities.

David AndersonConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, the question makes no sense at all. We are providing access to credit through the economic action plan. We are providing companies with the opportunity to get the tools necessary to raise capital for mining exploration. We are providing support through the community adjustment fund. The NDP needs to get on board with this program and support the budget.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday a major blow was dealt to organized crime and criminal gangs in Montreal. Hundreds of officers from various agencies made a series of coordinated arrests and seized illegal drugs, computer equipment, cash and firearms. This bust came after years of investigation by various agencies.

Dave MacKenzieConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, the member is referring to Operation Axe, which was part of a three year investigation involving more than 700 police officers in the Montreal area.

Yesterday the police community made a series of coordinated arrests and dealt a serious blow to both organized crime and the illegal drug trade. By working together, law enforcement agencies are getting criminals off of our streets and keeping our communities safe. This is all part of our government's national anti-drug strategy and is a reflection of our commitment to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.

These arrests would not have been possible without the dedication and diligence of police officers who work tirelessly to protect our neighbourhoods from criminal elements.

Mr. Speaker, the systematic and systemic abuse of the Baha'i minority in Iran unfortunately manifested itself again this week as seven members of the Friends of a Free Iran group, already being held for almost a year in the notorious Evin Prison, were charged on Wednesday with spying for Israel, insulting Islam, and spreading propaganda against the state.

These trumped-up charges also carry the threat of capital punishment, with Iran already being among the world leaders in carrying out the death penalty.

What action will the government take to protect this persecuted Baha'i minority and the persecuted prisoners in Iran?

Larger than that of course, the Government of Canada has been extremely active in terms of human rights in Iran. One can refer back to the condemnation. Canada led a multinational initiative at the United Nations where we condemned Iran for its human rights behaviour. I can assure members of the House, as well as the member for Mount Royal, that we will continue exactly in that direction.

Mr. Speaker, in June 2009, it will be mandatory to show a passport in order to enter the United States. This new rule has led to an increase in the number of passport applications. To better respond to this increase, the department planned on opening six new counters in Montérégie. To date, only three service points have been opened and they have given up on the other three.

Brian JeanConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, this government has been moving forward with initiatives throughout the country to stimulate the economy, to give Canadians and consumers more choice in air travel, and to make sure that we can provide Canadians with what they demand. That includes passport offices and other services that we provide.

We are listening to Canadians and we are getting the job done for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, we have just learned that the government wasted another $7.5 million in its ill-conceived mismanagement of the portrait gallery. The portrait gallery file is another example of the financial incompetence of the government. This partisan approach to culture has wasted millions of taxpayers' dollars with no portrait gallery to show for it.

When will the government get back on track, create jobs and help tourism, by building a portrait gallery right here in Ottawa?

Dean Del MastroConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, we are currently living in challenging economic times. Unfortunately, the minister had to withdraw a process that had been set in place on the portrait gallery, but it is something that we look to revisit at some point in the future.

Having said that, the member of the NDP is asking about support for arts and culture and heritage. I have to wonder why those members are missing in action on an action plan that would put $530 million into arts and culture in Canada. Why is the NDP voting against that? Why are those members holding up a budget that would support heritage, and arts and culture in this country?

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we learned that Russia would be placing top priority on staking its supposed claim to the Arctic. It is reported that the Russians intend to modernize their icebreaking fleet and to station more research personnel in the Arctic area. Canadians are rightly concerned about these competing claims to the Arctic.

Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs please advise the House and clarify the government's strategy to affirm Canada's sovereignty over the Arctic?

Mr. Speaker, Canada's sovereignty over the lands and the waters of the Arctic is long-standing and well established. This government is doing something about it, much more than any other previous government did.

In fact, the government has allocated monies in the budget to take care of Canada's Arctic seabed by doing the mapping. We have initiatives in terms of our Arctic patrol ships. We are looking at constructing deepwater ports as well as re-equipping our Canadian Rangers. My colleague from defence knows quite a lot about that.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday at committee, the health minister claimed that her government remained dedicated to reducing the youth smoking rate. However, contraband tobacco accounted for almost 33% of tobacco products sold in Canada last year. Kids are becoming addicted to tobacco at alarming rates.

Why have the Conservatives done absolutely nothing to combat the illegal cigarettes that are undermining the hugely successful programs that our former government put in to reduce children smoking?

Colin CarrieConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. This government and the Prime Minister are 100% committed to cracking down on all tobacco products marketed to children. That was a clear commitment made by our Prime Minister in the last election. That is why we are taking decisive action by setting a minimum package size for cigarillos that are less affordable for children, prohibiting flavours and additives that would appeal to children and banning all tobacco advertising and promotion in print and electronic media, which may be viewed and read by kids.

We will not tolerate tobacco being marketed in this way and enticing children. Let me assure the House that the promise made—